BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3713, 5 November 1927, Page 2

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

BILL DEFEATED. In the House on Wednesday night the Religious Exercises in Schools Bill was defeated. The debate was by no means as heated as it was on the last occasion when the 'Bible in Schools proposal came before the House. In fact, it was characterised by an entire absence of strong feeling. Before the tea adjournment there were signs of the discussion flagging, but the supporters of the measure managed to keep the ball rolling, and the debate obtained a new lease of-life before crowded galleries in the evening. There rvas keen interest in the divisions taken after supper on Mr. Atmore’s amendment that the Bill be read a second time six months hence, as there was no certainty as to whether the opponents or the supporters held a majority of votes. , Indeed, there has not 1 been so much real interest in an important division in the House during the present Parliament, or for several years past. The amendment was carried by 36 votes to 31, the second reading thus being defeated. It is of interest to recall that in 1925 the Bill was defeated by 32 votes to 26. HOW MEMBERS VOTED. Following is the division list on the second division:— Ayes (36); Armstrong, Atmore, Bartram, Bell, Buddo/ Coates, Elliott, Field, Forbes, Fraser, Henare, H. E. Holland, Horn, Howard, Hudson, Jordan, J. A. Lee, McCombs, McKeen, Martin, H. G. R. Mason, J. Mason, Ngata, Parry, Pomare, Potter, Ransom, F. J. Rolleston, J. C. Rolleston, Savage, Seddon, > Smith, Sullivan, Veitch, Ward, Wilford. Noes (31) : Anderson, Bellringer, Bitehener, Burnett, J. M. Dickson, J. S. Dickson, Girling, Glenn, A. Hamilton, J. R. Hamilton, Harris, Hawlcen, Hoekly, H. Holland, Hunter, D. Jones, Luke, Lysnar, McLennan, McLeod,) MacMillan, Nash, Nosworthy, Reid, Rhodes, Sidey, Stewart, Sykes, Waite, Williams, Wright. The following are pah's: For the amendment: Kyle, Jones (Marsden), Samuel ,Walter. Against the amendment: Lee (Oamaru), Linklater, Dickie, Forsyth. . The explanation of the difference in the figures of the two divisions is that the Prime Minister changed his vote, voting for the amendment in the second division. Mr. Armstrong did not vote in the first division, but,voted for the amendment in the seconl division.

Mr. Rhodes (Thames) likewise did not vote in the first division but voted against the amendment in the second division.